Contemporary

Philippine Arts
from the Regions
Quarter 1 - Module 5
Elements and Principles of
Art
 What I Need to Know

This module is designed and is written for you. It is intended to facilitate

understanding and appreciation of Philippine Contemporary Arts. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of learners. The lessons are arranged to follow
the standard sequence of the course as indicated in the curriculum guide. However,
the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the flow of the
lesson and with the rate or pace of learning.
The module contains Lesson 5 – Elements and Principles of Art.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. illustrate the elements and principles of art;
2. evaluate the artworks of National Artists of the Philippines and other
contemporary art forms based on the elements and principles of arts; and
3. appreciate contemporary art forms based on the elements and principles of arts.

Lesson
Contemporary Art Forms
5 from the Regions
 Different kinds of local artworks have sprung not only in the urban centers of
the country and in schools of arts of different educational institutions but also a lot
more of never before seen or heard art forms from the countryside have made known
and have become renowned. These artworks are made with the artistic expression of
ideas of various Philippine artists and effectively delivered the message or idea of the
artwork with the use of elements and principles of art.

What’s New
From the previous lessons, you described the various contemporary art forms
of the Philippines based on the elements and principles of arts and you learned who
are the National Artists of the Philippines and their contribution to Philippine Arts.
Now, in relation to that, did you ever wonder how the elements and principles of arts
is used in making an artistic artwork? Or did you ever wonder how to critic an
artwork based on the elements and principles of arts? Those questions will be
answered and explored in this module. To start your learning about the elements and
principles of art, examine the following image of artwork and process your thoughts
with the help of the guide questions below.

Thinking Man by Ang Kiukok

Redraw by Mervin Meude

These are the guide questions:

1. How does the shapes and forms define the subject of the artwork?
2. How does colors create mood or emotion in this artwork?
3. What is the artwork all about?

What is It
Elements and principles of art are being introduced in Module 1: Arts in the
Philippines. In module 1, the elements and principles of art is introduced to describe
the various contemporary art forms from the regions of the Philippines generally from
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The elements of art are space, line, shape and form,
color, value, and texture. Meanwhile, the principles of art are proportion, harmony,
variety, movement, rhythm, balance, and emphasis. Now, let’s discuss this
elements and principles of art further

Elements of Art
1. Line
An element of art that is used to define shape, contours, and outlines, also to
suggest mass and volume. It may be a continuous mark made on a surface with a
pointed tool or implied by the edges of shapes and forms. Line may come in two
characteristics: form – curved, dotted, or broken lines; and direction – vertical,
horizontal, or diagonal lines. Different characteristics of lines may convey different
meanings:

a) Horizontal Line creates an impression of serenity and perfect stability.

b) Vertical Line creates an impression of strength and perfect stability.
c) Diagonal Line creates an impression of action.
d) Curved Line creates an impression of gradual change of direction.
e) Circular Line creates an impression of abrupt change of direction.
Moreover, lines can be classified into different types:
a) Outlines are made by the edge of an object or its silhouette.
b) Contour Lines describe the shape of an object and the
interior detail.
c) Expressive Lines catch the movement and gestures of an
active figure.
d) Sketch Lines capture the appearance of an object or
impression of a place.
e) Calligraphic Lines are the elegant handwriting or lettering Calligraphy
done by hand.
f) Implied Lines are lines that are not actually drawn but
created by a group of objects seen from a distance.

2. Shape
Shape is an area that is enclosed by a line or lines. Shapes are
two dimensional figures with height and width. There are
different kinds of shapes and these are geometric shapes,
organic shapes, positive shapes, negative shapes, static
shapes, and dynamic shapes.
a) Geometric Shapes are circles, squares, rectangles,
triangles, and other geometric shapes.
b) Organic Shapes are shapes found in nature and are free
flowing, informal and irregular (abstract shapes).
c) Positive Shapes are the solid forms in a design.
d) Negative Shapes are the space around the positive shape.
e) Static Shapes are shapes that appears stable and resting.
f) Dynamic Shapes are shapes that appears moving and
active.

3. Color
Colors are the way we see light reflected from a surface or refracted through a prism.
Colors we see in nature are reflections of light on the surfaces around us. We can
classify colors into primary colors, secondary colors, tertiary colors, analogous
 colors, complementary colors, monochromatic colors, warm colors, and cool
colors.
a) Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.
b) Secondary colors are the resulting colors when the two of the primary colors
are mix. The secondary colors are purple, green, and orange.
c) Tertiary colors are the resulting colors when two of the primary and/or
secondary colors are mix. The tertiary colors are amber, vermilion, magenta,
violet, teal, and chartreuse.
d) Analogous Colors are colors that lie nest to each other based on the color
wheel. Example of analogous colors are yellow, orange, and red.
e) Complementary colors are colors that are opposite to each other based on
the color wheel. Examples of complementary colors are red and green, blue
and orange, and purple and yellow.
f) Monochromatic Colors are several values of one color.
g) Warm colors are colors that give the feeling of warmth. The warm colors are
yellow, amber, orange, vermilion, red, and magenta.
h) Cool colors are colors that give the feeling of coolness. The cool colors are
purple, violet, blue, teal, green, and chartreuse.
4. Space
Space refers to distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece
and refers to the arrangement of objects on the picture plane (two-dimensional). In
visual arts, space may either be positive space or negative space. Positive space
refers to a part which is enclosed in a shape. Meanwhile, negative space refers to
the opposite part which the shape is enclosing. Moreover, perspective is a technical
means by which we perceive distance in painting, by which we are made to see the
position of objects in space.

https://www.flickr.com/photos https://www.flickr.com/photos
/littlemaiba/31094230650/in/ /77278694@N02/7086843669/
photolist-PnG4t1-dev9sq in/photolist-bNeVHP-2hkmthR

a) In one-point perspective, we perceive that the position of objects meets at

one point on the horizontal line.
b) In two-point perspective, we perceive that the position of objects meets at
two points on the horizontal line.
5. Texture
Texture is the element that appeals to our sense of feel on things-
rough or smooth, bumpy or slippery. It is the character of the
surface of an artwork.
a) Real texture is the actual texture of an object. Artist may create
real texture in art to give it visual interest or evoke a feeling.
b) Implied texture made a piece of art to look like a certain
texture. Like a drawing of a tree trunk may look rough but in
fact it is just a smooth piece of paper.
6. Value
Value pertains to the lightness or darkness of a color in a given artwork. Value can
be changed by adding white or black to a color and these described as tint and
shade.
a) Tint pertains to the lightness of a color.
b) Shade pertains to the darkness of a color.
7. Form
Form is the three-dimensionality of an object. It has dimensions of height, width,
and length.

According to Mader (2019), the elements of art are the visual tools that the artist
uses to create a composition. Consequently, principles of art represent how the artist
uses elements of art to create an effect and convey the artist's intent.

Principles of Art

1. Rhythm
This refers to the repetition of certain elements to produce a pattern.

2. Movement
Movement is the illusion of motion in a painting, sculpture, or design.

3. Balance
Balance refers to the visual weight in a picture. It refers to the even
distribution of positions of elements in an artwork. The principle of
balance can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
a) Symmetrical balance refers to an artwork wherein its both
sides has the same elements in the same position.
b) Asymmetrical balance refers to an artwork wherein it is balance
through the contrast or differences of any of the elements of art.

4. Proportion
Proportion refers to the relationships of the size of objects in a body of
work.
5. Contrast
This principle shows differences between elements of art in an artwork. It
shows how stronger each element of art in relation to one another.
6. Variety
This principle of art refers to the diversity or the different elements
used in an artwork to make it more interesting.
7. Emphasis
Emphasis refers to the greater impact or highlight given to a certain
element in an artwork.
8. Harmony
This principle of art refers to the unity of an artwork. It is about the
arrangement of the related elements that makes an artwork to be
viewed as a whole.

These elements and principles of arts are very important aspects in

understanding and appreciating arts. It helps an artist to make an artistic artwork
which conveys their essential ideas or their intent. However, it is not just served as a
help to artists but also to the viewers. Through the elements and principles of art
present in an artwork, viewers will be able to understand, appreciate, and evaluate an
artwork. Hence, we will apply elements and principles of art in evaluating artworks.

Evaluation of Artworks Based on Elements and Principles of Art

This artwork was made by the National Artist of the

Philippines in Visual Arts Hernando Ocampo entitled
“Genesis”. According to Rafhael Piola (2015), “some
of the elements that could be seen in this canvass, in
my own opinion, would be lines (curved), shape
(amorphic), light, and color. As for its principles of
design and in my own opinion, some of the principles
visible to this canvass would be variety in terms of its
colors, and balance (asymmetrical), emphasis (focal
Redraw by Mervin Meude point). Through the elements and
principles that I have seen through this illustration, personally, I would interpret it as a very
strong yet positive canvass because of its colors. With the color of red, for me it means that
there is passion and dedication that the painter wants me to feel and I could also see a
yellow color meaning happiness and positive vibes. As for its lines, it is curvy yet it is thin
meaning it is flowing in a very calm state…”. This artwork of Hernando Ocampo was also
assessed by Ambeth R. Ocampo through the online platform of Philippine Daily Inquirer.
According to Ambeth Ocampo (2013), “with proper lighting, “Genesis” glows with the
intensity of red-hot embers and emanating from its three-dimensional center are what seem
to be claws or tongues of fire reaching out to the viewer”.

Appreciation to this artwork of Hernando Ocampo by the viewers or other artists

maybe similar or maybe different in some aspects. It is based on how they perceive the
artwork with the help of elements and principles of arts or other factors that can
influence them to appreciate or understand it.

Overall, elements and principles of art are a must in learning and

comprehending arts especially Philippine arts. Hence, if you are a student engage to
arts or have an interest to arts, use these elements and principles of arts wisely in
creating your unique and artistic pieces of art.
Activity Analyzing the Elements and Principles of Art
(Do this by GROUP as LUZON, VISAYAS and MINDANAO islands)

Directions: Appreciate and evaluate the given artwork of the National Artists of the
Philippines below by answering the questions reference to the elements and principles
of art. Each question is worth 2 points. Write your answer on your answer sheet.

1. A painting of “Sabel” by Benedicto Cabrera

a) How do the forms in this artwork make you
feel?
b) What part of the composition the artist
wants to emphasize?
c) How does the emphasis creates mood or
emotion in the artwork?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/faun070/1
4727920560/in/photolist-u6Ht2R-orsrEQ

2. Bagong Taon by Arturo Luz

a) What mood, emotion, or idea does the
element of line created in the artwork?
b) What principle of art is evident in the
artwork? Why?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pierremm/
4261934577/in/photolist-7uBwED-P3pfs

In appraising your answers for each question, this analytic rubric will be used:
Criteria 1 point No point
Relevance The answer is connected to the The answer is not connected at all
given artwork. to the given artwork.
Understanding The answer is in reference to the The answer is not in reference to
of the Concepts indicated element or principle of the indicated element or principle of
art in the question. art in the question.

What I Have Learned

1. According to Mader (2019), the elements of art are the visual tools that the
artist uses to create a composition.
2. The elements of art are line, shape, color, space, texture, value, and form.
3. Principles of art represent how the artist uses elements of art to create an
effect and convey the artist's intent.
4. The principles of art are rhythm, movement, balance, proportion, contrast,
variety, emphasis, and harmony.

5. These elements and principles of arts are very important aspects in

understanding and appreciating arts.
6. It helps an artist to make an artistic artwork which conveys their essential
ideas or their intent. Also, it helps viewers to understand, appreciate, and
evaluate an artwork.
References

Marder, L. (2019). The 7 principles of art and design. Retrieved July 11, 2020 from
https://www.liveabout.com/principles-of-art-and-design-2578740#:~:text=The
%20elements%20of%20art%20are,help%20convey%20the %20artist's%20intent.

Piola, R. (2015). Some of the finest work of art made by Filipinos. Retrieved July
11, 2020 from https://medium.com/@rafhaelpiola/some-of-the-finest-work-of-
art-made-by-filipinos-9f8d1130cf05

Ocampo, A. (2013). The real H.R. Ocampo stands up. Retrieved July 11, 2020
from https://opinion.inquirer.net/55307/the-real-h-r-ocampo-stands-
up#ixzz3SpvieTDv

Sandagan, L. & Sayseng, A. (2016). Contemporary Philippine arts from the Regions.
Pasay City, Philippines: JFS Publishing Services. ISBN 978-621415-012-0.